Significant threat of flooding on Friday due to coastal storm
A coastal storm will likely cause soundside flooding along southern Hatteras Island and Ocracoke and ocean overwash from Oregon Inlet to Buxton starting early Friday morning.
“With strong northerly winds gusting to 50-70 mph expected, move vehicles to higher ground and get stuff up off the ground, better safe than wet,” said Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson.
Showers and even some thunderstorms that could become severe will precede a cold front crossing North Carolina this evening.
“With the tornado threat added, make sure government alerts are turned on for mobile devices, and that you have multiple ways to receive tornado watches and warnings that may be issued by the National Weather Service,” Pearson said.
After the front moves through, a strong low pressure system will develop just offshore and bring a variety of coastal impacts.
“Minor to moderate oceanside and soundside coastal flooding with inundation 2-4 ft above ground level is expected late tonight and Friday,” according to the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City.
“There is potential for rapid water level rises for soundside Ocracoke and southern Hatteras Islands on Friday as strong north winds develop,” the weather office said.
Due to threat of high winds, Dare County Schools will have a remote learning day for students with a regular workday for staff.
“Any staff member who feels unsafe to travel or is facing unique circumstances should promptly contact their immediate supervisor,” the school system said in a news release.
The following alerts have been issued as of Thursday evening:
- High Wind Warning, Friday 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., Duck to Ocracoke, Roanoke Island.
- Wind Advisory, Friday 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dare mainland, Hyde mainland, Tyrrell County; Friday 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., Currituck mainland, Carova and Corolla.
- Coastal Flood Warning, Friday 10 a.m. to Saturday 3 a.m., Duck to Ocracoke; Friday 1 a.m. to 1 p.m., Carova to Corolla.
- Coastal Flood Advisory, through Friday 1 a.m., Carova to Corolla.
- High Surf Advisory, Friday 10 a.m. to Saturday 3 a.m., Duck to Ocracoke; Friday 6 a.m to 3 p.m., Carova to Corolla.
- Storm Warning, Friday 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., Coastal Waters from Currituck Beach Light to Oregon Inlet, Pamlico, Croatan and Roanoke sounds; Friday 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., Coastal Waters from Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet.
- Gale Warning, Friday 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., Coastal Waters from Currituck Beach Lighthouse to NC/VA border, Albemarle Sounds, Alligator and Pamlico rivers; Friday 1 a.m. to 4 p.m., Currituck Sound.
A list of local Outer Banks resources for additional information is as follows:
- For information on the local forecast, visit weather.gov/mhx for general weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.
- For local water level forecasts from the NWS, visit https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/mhx
- For updates regarding road conditions, visit DriveNC.gov and follow the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also shares local road condition updates on its Facebook page.
- To get notified of ferry delays or cancellations, sign up for text and/or email alerts via the N.C. Ferry System’s FINS system: www.ncdot.gov/fins.
